Knight Spirits

by David Kuminski

"I'm turning back for High Crag," Moto said.

  Gonzales descended gradually until he hovered at the same altitude as Eusis. Coffin soon hovered beside them.

  "He's at bush-hopping height," Coffin said. "I doubt that he'd like to fly about like that for very long."

  "I'm more concerned about him being within reach of waves," Gonzales said.

  Moto appeared overhead and descended. "Is his situation anything like what happened to Waleski?"

  "You heard what he said. That sounds to me almost exactly what happened," Coffin replied.

  Moto's face presented obvious concern. "It's already apparent to me that Sir Private Sabbo might need some assistance in reaching our island. I'll remain here another day and travel with you. I can always leave from the island to reach my next destination. Go ahead and teach them what you can, Gonzales. Coffin and I are going to the church for a discussion."

  ***

  "Confidential conversation?" Coffin asked.

  Moto nodded. Within moments, he and Coffin each had their suits off.

  "I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your sword ready. The workers are still finding entrances to seal," Coffin said.

  "Yes, I know. As well, Basoc remains on the loose. What I want to discuss is partly related to what you stated to me before, as well as what Queen Elannia mentioned," Moto said.

  "Which is?"

  "Our suits might be wearing out. At least, that's what she was concerned over. I didn't want to believe that might be the case. However, too much has transpired lately that goes against everything I believed before. You'd practically convinced me of that already. I had to admit that to Queen Elannia, but I didn't want to shake the beliefs of our comrades. Waleski and Gonzales, in particular, seem quite devout."

  "Many of the others are equally sincere in their beliefs."

  "Which is why I'm concerned. I can't ask the Duke to constantly do penance when you and I know that the truth might be that his suit is almost worn out. I doubt if he'd understand in light of how strongly he fought against the Kron invaders. At the same time, I can't ignore this problem. There's no telling what might happen if the other knights aren't ready to accept this new knowledge."

  "I'll support you in whatever decision you make."

  "I guessed that you would. I'm going to order Wong to return here to assist Deliah in guarding the hollow suits."

  "Why? I'll be here."

  "No, you'll be with us at Castle Staten Island. If Sabbo's suit drops him into the water, it might require the rest of us to rescue him."

  "You sound like you're concerned that more of our suits might fail," Coffin said.

  Moto nodded. "I can't deny that. Our metal workers can remake our swords, but they can't remake our black armor."

  Moto returned to the practice area.

  "I'm glad you came back," Gonzales said, as he pointed at Sabbo. "That's the fastest he can fly."

  "In that case, we better take supplies with us. It will take him most of the day to reach Castle Staten Island," Moto said. "I also decided that Sir Corporal Coffin will accompany us. Continue your lessons while I call Wong. He'll alternate with Deliah in guarding the hollow suits."

  ***

  As it turned out, the trip took more time than expected. The sun was setting behind them when Castle Staten Island came into sight at last. Their faces showed their relief at reaching their destination. Had the truth been known, several were relieved that Sabbo hadn't been knocked into the water despite waves that often reached up as high as his knees. Fortunately, everyone had maintained a careful watch for large waves. They'd worked together to lift him even as he bent his legs just to gain a bit more distance between himself and the water.

  "I'd heard this was distant from the land, but no one said you flew this far without stopping," Sabbo said. "I hope I won't be desecrating our island if I find a place to freshen up."

  Moto was untying himself from the matrix of ropes they'd used and turned to face Sabbo. However, Gonzales was already untying Sabbo, and pointing.

  "Over there is where we take care of freshening up," Gonzales said.

  "Thank you, Gonzales. I promise I won't delay the oath for too long," Sabbo replied.

  "Don't worry, I'll be doing the same. I'll hold your armor for you. Then you can return the favor after you've finished," Gonzales said.

  "We all will," Coffin said.

  Moto followed along after picking up the ropes to hand to Gonzales. "We probably should have had him travel more lightly as Coffin suggested."

  "Naked except for his armor?" Gonzales asked.

  "It wouldn't have harmed him. Besides, he's shivering from the cold. I'll bet you that his robe is soaked from being so close to the water."

  "It's too bad that we don't have much firewood with us," Coffin said. "I'm not entirely dry, myself, but it's going to take more than the little we brought to get all our clothes dry and us warm."

  "We could search the shore for driftwood," Eusis said.

  "That's a good idea. However, it's getting too dark to see anything well. I doubt if we'd find much, if any," Moto said.

  "There's another way to get him dry! He could give his robe to one of you to carry around fast. Don't you remember that wet clothes dry quickly when we fly fast?" Coffin exclaimed.

  "Of course, Coffin! You're absolutely right. Sabbo, take your robe off and give it to me. I'll have it dry soon enough for you," Moto said. "You'll still have your armor to wear."

  "Are you certain about this?" Sabbo asked, as he looked at Gonzales as if questioning whether they were serious or just trying to embarrass him for a joke.

  "They're right. I've gotten my own robe drenched only to have it dry in minutes just by flying fast. Of course, it feels like ice while it's still wet," Gonzales said.

  Sabbo removed his black robe as he stood up. There was a look of apprehension in his eyes until he felt his armor in his hands again and slipped it into place.

  "Be careful about closing that," Moto warned. "It can pinch dreadfully bad in the worst of places."

  "I was wondering about that," Sabbo sai,d as he used great care in closing the suit and feeling it against his bare flesh. By then, Moto was in the air with Sabbo's robe fluttering about.

  "Thank you for letting me go next," Coffin said, as she handed her armor to Gonzales.

  "I can hold her armor for you, Sir Lieutenant Gonzales," Eusis said.

  "Thank you, but just see to your own needs for now. You can hold mine should you finish first," Gonzales said.

  "Will we give our oaths in the morning?" Eusis asked.

  Gonzales handed Coffin back her armor. "Deactivate Lieutenant Gonzales suit. Unless Sir Private Moto is in a hurry, we'll probably do that then."

  "What did Gonzales say? Did he give Eusis an answer? Someone tell me," Moto said, as he flew overhead.

  "He said the morning was fine unless you're in a hurry," Coffin said.

  "Yes, tell him that I am. It's going to take us all day tomorrow just to get Sabbo back. We'll conduct the oaths as soon as possible," Moto said.

  Coffin glanced over at Gonzales. "Moto wants the oaths given tonight."

  Gonzales nodded. He then held out his hand to Eusis for his armor. Within moments, his suit covered his torso and head once more.

  ***

  Eusis and Sabbo followed Gonzales into Castle Staten Island. Both men displayed awe at the sight of an interior that held enough light for them to see and move about without tripping. In deference to Sabbo's former standing, Gonzales motioned him toward the wall first.

  "Welcome, Private Sabbo."

  "I heard my name! God said my name!" Sabbo exclaimed.

  "Approach the wall and place your hand upon our symbol," Gonzales said. "Then repeat the oath after me."

  Sabbo walked over to the wall and placed his hand against it. He ignored the vibration. "You don't have to remind me of the oath. I have it memorized. On my honor, I will uphold the law and obey the orders of those appointed over me. Whenever possible
, I will do my utmost to assist my fellow beings and improve conditions for all, be they friend or foe. I will remember that all life is sacred and should not be taken except when only absolutely necessary. I will always champion the cause of justice, no matter what personal consequences I might suffer. All this, I do swear before all I hold dear."

  "From this day forward, you will be known as Sir Private Sabbo. Perform your duties faithfully and know now that you will receive burial with honor and one day serve at the hand of god in heaven. You are no longer known to us as Duke Sabbo. Any sins belonging to Duke Sabbo are absolved with his oath to god. Eusis, please approach the wall when Sir Private Sabbo is out of the way."

  Sabbo stepped to the side closest to the storage racks. Suddenly, light flared around him as his suit suddenly opened.

  "Primary care required. Deposit your suit for scheduled primary care in accordance with United Earth Forces Maintenance Manual 2.1.3, Private Sabbo."

  "What's wrong? Is god upset with me?" Sabbo exclaimed.

  "Primary care required. Deposit your suit for scheduled primary care in accordance with United Earth Forces Maintenance Manual 2.1.3, Private Sabbo."

  The rest of the knights stared about in awe. After a moment, Coffin said, "I think you should take it off."

  "Then I'm not a knight?" Sabbo asked, as he slipped his sword bearing sash and his arms from the suit and stood in only his black robe.

  "I don't…Oh, my! Look! I've never seen that happen before!" Coffin exclaimed.

  Sabbo wheeled about to see that his suit had closed and flown on its own into one of the storage racks. As soon as it reached its niche, an opening appeared in the wall behind it. Metal arms protruded from the opening to encircle the suit.

  "What's happening?" Eusis asked.

  "I don't think any of us know," Moto whispered.

  "God is repairing the damage! See? The big crack on the front is closing!" Gonzales exclaimed. "God wants you to have a better suit!"

  "I surely hope so," Sabbo whispered.

  "Yes, you're right! It surely is closing the crack!" Moto exclaimed.

  Coffin edged closer to the suspended suit to gain a better view of the extended arms and the mechanisms behind them. If nothing else, it was the first time that anyone since Sir Private Malidor had seen anything beyond the interior of the one room they could enter. Each of the arms was tracing a path along one of the cracks that had been on Sabbo's suit since the first Sir Private Ashen slammed into a castle wall while drunk. She soon realized that some hadn't even been truly visible, yet the metal arms were finding them all.

  "If I'm right, we should have Waleski report here to have her suit checked out. Hers was believed beyond use." The rest of the knights turned their heads toward Coffin. "We can find out if Gonzales moves close enough to the racks and the same thing happens," Coffin said.

  "Do we dare? What if god doesn't give the suits back?" Moto asked.

  "Those arms aren't god. I don't know what those are, but they're not god. I don't think they'll keep the suits. Besides, Malidor was once an enemy, yet he was permitted to carry off all the suits when more of this castle was open," Coffin said.

  "Actually, when he carried them off, the suits were all he could reach except for the shovels," Moto said. "I think we should remain cautious. We'll ask Gonzales to test your idea only if Sabbo's suit is returned."

  "Your suggestion of caution sounds worthy to me," Coffin said.

  "It's my decision, not my suggestion," Moto said.

  "Should I give my oath now?" Eusis asked.

  "I don't see why not. Gonzales, finish your duties as Guardian of the Suits," Moto said.

  ***

  Coffin nudged Sabbo awake. "Your suit must be ready. It's not glowing any longer and there aren't any metal arms surrounding it anymore."

  "Then I'm to be a knight?" Sabbo asked, as he slowly stood from the hard floor.

  "I guess we'll find out in a moment. See if you can pick up your suit."

  "What if god smites me? I wasn't exactly one of his more faithful followers."

  "I don't think he will. Besides, you know as well as I that this has to be a machine of some sort."

  "It's harder to believe that a machine would know someone's name than to believe that god would."

  "Let's not argue over that. We've already been over this in our own education."

  Sabbo walked over to the storage rack. "It doesn't appear dangerous. It certainly does look repaired. I don't see any cracks at all."

  "Pick it up. See if it still responds to your name."

  "What's going on?" Moto asked, as he sat up.

  "Sabbo's suit appears mended now. I was urging him to take his suit and try it on," Coffin said.

  "Yes, you should. We need to know whether it still responds to you," Moto said.

  Around him, the other knights stirred from their sleep. Sabbo reached out hesitantly toward his suit. When lightning failed to strike, he went ahead and touched his suit again, without drawing any ire. He leaned forward.

  "Activate Private Sabbo suit."

  Instantly, the suit opened as small god lights flashed brilliantly across the chest plates.

  "I will be a knight!" Sabbo cried.

  He lovingly lifted the open suit from its niche. Moments later, he carefully placed his arms into it. Gonzales sat up and stared at Sabbo. The man dabbed at tears running down his face with one hand and snapped the chest plates closed with his other.

  "You better get outside first before you try any commands," Moto said.

  "Yes, you're right. We don't want Sabbo injuring himself in here," Coffin said.

  "Oh, then it's all right if I injure myself outside?" Sabbo asked, even as he wiped away more tears.

  Moto answered, "Absolutely! Now just go out there!"

  "You picked up some of Washington's wit," Coffin said.

  Sabbo strode past the knights, careful not to step on Gonzales and Eusis who stared up at him from the floor. By the time he exited through the broken opening, the other knights were all standing behind him. He stepped out well into the open.

  "Up!" he commanded.

  "By his blessings, did you see how fast he rose?" Eusis exclaimed.

  "Gonzales, I think we should try Waleski's next before we risk yours. I want to be certain that this is what will result. Since you won't need me for your return, I'll fly on ahead and send back Waleski. Coffin can also return to relieve Wong since you won't need her assistance, either," Moto said.

  "I'd rather remain here to document what happens," Coffin said.

  "You have a good suggestion there. In that case, it might be better if you all return and wait for Waleski to arrive. Then the three of you can journey back here together," Moto said.

  "We could bring the other damaged suit with us to see if it can be mended," Coffin said.

  Moto rubbed his chin for a moment. "That's another good idea. Do it. By his blessings, I don't think I've ever seen a new knight so eager to fly as Sabbo."

  "He's certainly not afraid as I first was," Gonzales said.

  "I think this is great fun! Left!" Sabbo exclaimed.

  Chapter 25

  "You appear worried," Waleski said, as she, Gonzales, and Coffin left the coast.

  "You're not at all bothered by what might happen?" Gonzales asked, while he avoided looking down.

  "I'm meant to be a knight. Why should I worry?"

  "God might have meant for you to become a knight, but what we do now might disturb his intentions," Coffin said.

  Waleski glanced over at Coffin. "I don't believe that. You said that Sabbo's suit was mended in god's own tower. To me, that means god wanted it mended. If he wishes to mend my suit, he's welcome to do so, as he only permits me to use it in his behalf."

  "Well, I'm concerned. I believe in god, but he doesn't actually speak to me. At least, not in a manner that I can truly understand," Gonzales said.

  "Yes, we've lost so much since god placed us upon Caerna," Waleski said. "Someti
mes, I wish I could kick our ancestors' backsides for losing god's language."

  Coffin shook her head slightly. Her own upbringing as a loose follower of the Order of the Star hadn't kept her from viewing other religions with an open mind, despite some of their obvious differences. She'd viewed the nocturnal services of Moon Believers as different only because of when they worshipped. Unlike the Order of the Star, the Moon Believers spent an entire night in worship once every week. Believers in the Order of the Star, on the other hand, slept in the knowledge that god's star was watching over them. Otherwise, both contained elements of forgiveness in return for confession. Even the Sun Watchers shared many beliefs, though they attended services twice each day, once to welcome the sun and again to bid it a well deserved rest. Deliah held that last belief, though she appeared to have converted to the Order as had other knights whose roots sprang from different religions.

  "You wouldn't get that sort of an argument from any Naturers. They'd call it an expression of free will given by god."

  "People in Pahsoh can afford to throw their clothes off and cry free will, but that doesn't make them right," Waleski said.

  "I don't know. I think sometimes that they have the right idea, except when it comes to claiming that everyone is equal. Their radical elements might yet topple the Allied Kingdoms with their ideas," Coffin said.

  "Don't we use some of the same ideas, though? I've heard about those. We do elect our own leader within the knighthood. Even our rulers elect the Grand King every five years," Gonzales said.

  "You must be reading more," Coffin said.

  "Not much. I don't have access to very much to read, and I still don't know many words. The proctors have to assist me often," Gonzales said.

  "Then, by now, you've probably noticed that the symbols we see in our helmets are also words," Coffin said.

  "I've wondered if that's what those really are," Gonzales said.

  "We've got words in our helmets?" Waleski exclaimed.

  "Even if you believe that our suits came from god, that doesn't preclude god from communicating in writing as well as voice," Coffin said.

  "That's a valid argument," Gonzales said.